Aryna Sabalenka transforms her serve after shocking double fault record

In Australia on January 12, 2025, Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning champion and World No. 1, faced off against former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the first round of the Australian Open. The match took place at Melbourne Park and marked the opening day of the tournament following a delay caused by severe storms that impacted play on outside courts. Sabalenka, aiming for a third consecutive Australian Open title, demonstrated her dominance in the match right from the start, winning the match 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour, which extended her impressive run in the tournament to 15 consecutive wins. Sabalenka's performance exhibited her impressive skill set as she efficiently dispatched Stephens, who struggled to respond to the Belarusian’s powerful serving and directional play. While Stephens made some attempts to come back into the match, Sabalenka maintained control and quickly took the opening set. Sabalenka's bid for a three-peat at the Australian Open is a notable story since this feat has not been accomplished in women's singles since Martina Hingis won three titles in a row in the late 1990s. Furthermore, Sabalenka’s confidence and ability have significantly improved since her past issues with double faults, and she has shown a more stable serving style this tournament. In addition to Sabalenka's victory, other matches proceeded throughout the day with last year's runner-up Qinwen Zheng, Mirra Andreeva, and Donna Vekic also progressing. The tournament's new scheduling format, designed to lessen late finishes, has allowed for smoother organization despite the weather interruptions. Moreover, Sabalenka’s performance sets the stage for her potential meetings with major rivals later in the tournament, including Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, who are also in contention. This match highlights the high stakes of the Australian Open, where former champions and top players battle for coveted titles. With Sabalenka’s trajectory redefined from her struggles in 2022, which included an extraordinary number of double faults, her current form suggests a potential strong campaign as she strives to defend her title against tough competition. Sabalenka’s ability to continuously evolve her mental and physical game has not only positioned her as a top contender but also evokes excitement among tennis aficionados as the tournament advances.